Balls!

I found a book at Bookman's. So many of my adventures begin this way! This time it's Patchwork Puzzle Balls by Jinny Beyer. I look for projects that ignite my interest and are complicated enough to keep me engaged. Jinny's Puzzle Balls do this! I have taken the patterns provided and made them my own with hand dyed fabrics, and photos of my favorite people! 

My first memory ball was for my sister to celebrate her new grandson, and the members of his family.

Eli! Love that grin!!

I collected pictures of Eli and his adoring family, and used Photoshop Elements to crop the photos to the proper size. I added the blue blocks and started assembly.

I wanted to try out some of the other styles in the book, and I even hand pieced one! The sewing machine is my preferred construction method. The tiny seams are a bit tedious, but a lot easier on my finger tips!

My hand pieced ball, purely decorative!

I have been working on product photos for our bike parts business, and I needed a prop for the headwarmers we make and sell. No one ever wants to be the model, so I created a ball/head! Now I have a great display that doubles as advertising! I created the screen for the fabric using elements and an "ez screen".  I'll tell you about screen making another time!

The ROX head/ball

My most recent puzzle ball, feature the two new guys, Eli and his cousin Logan.  I selected photos of the little guys with their great grandparents, and built a great memento!

Logan and Eli, Two happy boys!

These puzzle balls would be a terrific way to commemorate special events, gifts for the coach, etc.

If you would like something like this, drop me a line! I have added a contact form at the bottom of the page!

Tales of the Table: Part 2

Recipe for a table:  3 Mountain Bike Rims
                                  1 Cardboard Tube (In this case, a core from fabric bolts)
                                  Heavy Weight Cardboard Boxes
                                  Newspaper
                                  Flour Paste (Papier Mache)
                                  Paint
                                  Sealer

Hoops and Tubes

The first step was deciding on the design of the table. I wanted something light, but sturdy enough to trust with my computer. A round top, with 3 supporting legs, and a center core to tie it together. This is the plan. I took two of the rims and cut them in half. I smoothed out the cut edges with a file and started working on the core. This is not science! Any slack in the fit will be remedied by the papier mache.

Kind of looks like a steering column!

The picture shows what I mean by "the core". I cut slits into the core for the rims to fit through and made certain that the top of the tube would snug up to the table top. The full rim which supports the top is wired onto the legs. Once I was satisfied with the fit, I applied the first layer of papier mache. I cut three circles of cardboard from my large boxes, each 2" larger in diameter than the full rim.  I arranged the plies of the cardboard perpendicularly and joined them together with photo mount glue. White glue and carpenter's glue will work, it just takes longer to dry and increases the chance of warping. Weigh it down while it dries if you go this route. Once it is completely dried, attach the top. 

The top in place

At this point, you work upside down. The top is held on with papier mache, nothing else. It can be wired on to the hoop, but experience has taught me this is unnecessary! The construction gets a bit slow at this point because you must take care to let everything dry completely and keep it weighted so it doesn't warp. Build up the papier mache until there are three layers on all the table parts. 

Ready for paint!

It's time to decorate! I chose to paint a copyright-free design on mine. After the base coat the procedure is the same as I described in "A Little Paint, A New Look". 

From the side

I have been using this table for over 2 years! 

The Top

I love the ornate mandala design, but I'm thinking a top with decoupaged mementos would be fun; as would your own art! In the end, you'll have a unique table from recycled materials!

A Little Paint, A New Look

I like to color. There is something about fabric, yarn, or tables that requires me to add color. It's an addiction that began long ago with Easter eggs! There is something akin to magic in the chemistry of dyeing. The possibilities for self-expression are infinite.

I built a table out of old bicycle rims, cores from fabric bolts, cardboard and papier-mache. When I finished the construction, I painted it a dull beige (I know that's redundant). Recently, I found a design for the table top and went to "work"! Here are the results:

This sketch is from a book of copyright-free mandalas. I enlarged the pattern, and transferred it onto my table top which

 I had painted a gloss white. I like a slick surface because it gives the next layer a streaky look. And that is exactly what I want! 

You can see the faint lines of the drawing on the white surface. I picked up my yellow and started coloring! I chose and mixed the colors as they occurred to me. Granted, yellow is rather obvious with the sun!

Sunny is looking good! I thought she should be a green-eyed girl. To draw the viewer outward, I repeated the green in the outside border. Nothing is more natural with a bright sun than a beautiful blue sky, so blue became the background color. 

Once all of the drawing was painted in, I picked up the liner brush and went to work with black. It is acquiring the graphic look I am after!

Only one step to completion: a high gloss finish. 

This is my finished table! It makes me smile every time I glance at her!

A bit of royal blue to tie it all together! 

Ephemeral

 Recently, I saw a call for entries in Quilting Arts Magazine for a the theme "In the Garden". It sparked my imagination, and I decided to enter! First time I ever did such a thing! In Tucson, there are successful gardening stories, I would not include mine in this category. Dennis and I have managed to grow a few veggies: chiles, tomatilloes, and a couple herbs. But mostly, the summer sun and dryness have won. I concede that nature is the best gardener in these parts. 

The most stunning display that we receive in the desert, are the ephemeral wildflowers. With enough winter rain, the desert blooms in the most gaudy fashion.  Sprout, flower, and seed. All in a few days. And then its over. The Mexican Gold Poppy is one of my favorites. This is what I would base my art quilt on. 

Before the quilting


I thoroughly enjoyed the "art" quilt process. 8" x10" is tiny compared to any other piece I have made. And with no need for function ( it's not made for washing), I was free to use construction techniques which I normally don't. Adhesives, raw edges; they had a place! 

Elements In Place

I sewed the parts onto the pieced background, and added beads to the stamen. The next step was to join the layers. I chose to do a tiny stippling stitch which would pull the sky into the distance.

Detail of stitching

"EPHEMERAL"

I submitted my piece to QA, unfortunately it was not selected for publication. The next challenge theme is "In the Park". I've got some ideas on the subject!